Real Talk: The Reality Of Blogging

July 24, 2017

OH HEY REMEMBER ME?! Or is the page now redirecting to a random GoDaddy.com page? JK, I still have my domain and site. Still here.

But like, not really?

A week ago, I was thinking about how I felt when I first launched JFERMIMI. The excitement, vulnerability, and feedback. The fun events I’ve attended, the girls and guys I’ve met, and the connections I made. It was another kind of high (but mostly the only high I like to experience). Now I look at where I am today. I haven’t posted on the blog since April, when I had my Euro-trip. And for a hot second (or like, a month, TBH), I felt like I failed.

The truth is, blogging is not easy. Actually it’s a lot of work. If it ever looked easy to you, it’s because that blogger is really good at their craft and building their brand.

After going back and forth on whether I should renew my hosting (website stuff), I came to a realization that I haven’t failed at being a blogger but that life just gets the best of you sometimes, you feel me?

It really did get the best of me. After coming home from an AMAZING trip from Europe, life came at me HARD. I’m talking engaged to my best friend, living out of boxes at my parents, moving to a new apartment, a sad attempt at wedding planning, and a promotion at my 9-5. LIKE FUCK. Life is so good and I had to take a second to enjoy everything around and worry less about the blog.Now, I feel like I’m in a place where I can be back. Where I have things to share and the time (kinda!) to commit.

So, to get to my point. Here’s the reality of blogging (at least IMHO):

Pretty pictures just don’t happen with a quick snap or filter. LOL I fucking wish it was. There are three scenarios that must happen in order to have “pretty pictures.” A. You have to find a photographer that will take photos for you. TYPICALLY THIS IS NOT FREE. You can exchange services with a photographer (helpful if they are also trying to build their portfolio) but typically it’s like paying for family session. Only you are paying for whimsical shoot that captures your bracelet or jean-hem. B. You end up dragging your Insta-boyfriend, now fiancé, around town and you are both awkward taking photos in public but need to get the job done. C. You feel SUPER awkward as you drag around a tri-pod and a self-timer remote in an alley or in front of someone’s street, trying to make it work with you, yourself, and you. K, this is JUST TAKING THE PHOTOS.

Then you get into editing, using 20 different apps (some free, some paid) so it will match your aesthetic and brand. I’m talking VSCO, Retouch, Snapseed, Everlight. Then using apps like Planoly to help you know when to post it so it doesn’t mess up your Insta-feed-vibe. Not to mention the time you spend getting ready, changing in your car to get in multiple outfits, and scheduling time out of your weekend to do this. Are you exhausted just thinking about it?!

Writing posts is TIME-CONSUMING. At least for me. I don’t want to put up posts on my outfits, though I do respect the fashion bloggers out there that do because it is still a giant time-suck and you’re constantly having to get ready. It’s just not what I want this blog to be about. JFERMIMI is meant to share my experiences, my advice, and stories so a blog about where I got this top ain’t gonna cut it. So I have to plan out ideas, topics, realness (like this post on Stop doing shit you hate), spend time writing it, scheduling it. Then I have my dear friend and blog editor, Olivia (HAY GIRL!), go through and fix my broken english. Then you have to make sure you have photos that match the posts so there’s the visual aspect. Just writing this post has taken an hour from me and staying tuned into the Bachelor on Monday night.

It can be expensive. I mean, do I even need to explain this one? The clothes, the experiences, photography, cost of hosting and building your website, e t effing c. You want to stay relevant and usually that involves coughing up some dough. However, I have been extremely blessed to receive products for free in return for my honest opinion, but that doesn’t account for the non-sponsored posts.

It connects you with the most amazing people. This is probably the biggest reason why I love blogging. It’s a space where I get to be vulnerable AF and then get a text or DM from someone I knew in high school or a friend of a friend in college saying they can totally relate or they want to try this or that. It’s one of the most amazing feelings to know that you can connect with someone you haven’t talked to in YEARS or maybe even ever.

Yaaaaas babe! This is perfect! My husband despises going out on Sunday mornings to take photos and I can’t tell you how often I’ve gotten stuck in my f*ing pants in the car trying to change!? So glad you’re back!

YAS, girl! You speak so many truths that are relevant to bloggers in all niches. It’s hard. You rely on yourself to create your own direction and brand. And the time it takes, oh the time–good grief! I feel ya.

Totally understand!! As a DIY blogger, it totally takes so much time to do projects, setup things, make sure posts are timed before big holidays, etc. so people can actually execute your projects and ideas! And, I totally relate to being busy in other aspects of you life and wanting to take time to enjoy other things! Glad you’re back at it!

So true! I love taking photos but the writing is such a struggle for me. But, who wants to look at a post with just photos? Maybe people do but ugh. It’s so hard! Thanks for the honesty and I’m glad you’re back at it!

I loved reading this! I found your blog off the blogger babes Facebook group and am so glad I did! I will definitely be subscribing to follow along this blogging journey! I launched my blog back in April and I relate so much to many of the things you mentioned! One area I’ve fallen short and didn’t realize would be as hard is the community part. Everyone talks about having this amazing blogging community and I see you’ve met some other influencers. How did you go about doing that? Was there an event? I’d love some advice in that area if you have the time. I can’t wait to explore more posts of yours and I look forward to the ones to come!!